Portledge School was founded in 1965 and is located on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island. Approximately fifty minutes from NYC by train, Portledge is nestled on a pastoral 63 acre tree-lined campus that is known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Enrolling approximately 515 students in grades PN-12, Portledge offers a competitive college preparatory program in a warm, inclusive community. We seek to inspire our students to realize their individual potential by developing the critical thinking skills and moral courage necessary for lifelong learning in an increasingly complex world. Portledge is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body.
Portledge School seeks to hire a dynamic music teacher who specializes in brass instruction, piano, and technology. This is a new position that is being created to reflect the needs of our growing music department. Working directly in conjunction with the band teacher and department chair, the ideal candidate would instruct and lead in four main areas.
Brass Instruction
Teach instrumental brass (mainly trumpet and baritone) classes for 4th and 5th grade
Run group brass sectionals for 6th and 7th/8th grade band classes
Deliver lessons (individual and small group) and sectionals for 9th-12th grade band classes
Piano
Oversee and instruct a new repertoire course for pianists and solo/duo performers
Serve as musical director for Middle School Play (every other year) and Upper School Musicals (every year)
Technology
Instruct a digital music course for the Upper School with focus on studio recording, digital music composition, and live sound engineering
Jazz
Instructing a new Middle School jazz course for all instrumentalists: rhythm section, horns, s
Candidates should be driven to create a classroom environment where student learning is a non-negotiable goal and passion is delivered on a daily basis. Responsibilities include teaching the above listed courses as well as serving as an advisor to approximately eight-ten students, participating collegially in meetings and initiatives of the music department and the three divisions, and taking an active role in the life of the school community.
Our faculty work in a warm, collaborative environment...
Delivering consistent high-quality instruction, mentoring and teaching to students
Participating in collaborative planning and ongoing professional development and a professional learning community
Staying current with current educational research and pedagogy related to classroom instruction and educational trends
Maintaining online Atlas curriculum database for courses taught
Attending a minimum of 4-6 evening/weekend programs that support the community throughout the year
They are
Lifelong, intellectual learners who have a passion for teaching and mentoring children
Interested in and committed to teaching subject matter from multiple cultural perspectives
Clear about instructional goals
Knowledgeable about content
Clear communicators with their students about what is expected of them and why
Knowledgeable about their students
Willing to teach students metacognitive strategies
Prepared to offer effective feedback
Excited about and responsible for student outcomes
Qualifications:
BA Degree minimum; advanced degree preferred in relevant area(s)
Teaching certification preferred
Training/experience with ProTools / Logic / Finale desired
Musical director experience preferred
Understanding of live sound production desired
Experience with studio recording / engineering preferred
Performance background on piano and brass preferred
Training/experience with Project Based Learning desired
Candidates with formal teaching experience given preference
Superb written and oral communication as well as organizational and time management skills
Belief in the value of all types of diversity within a school
A commitment to the qualities embodied by the Portledge pillars: Kindness, Purpose, Honor, Respect
Desire to nurture the whole child and to support students by attending all school events such as art, music, theater, athletics and community functions.
Committed to teaching and nurturing social emotional learning of children
Commitment to excellence and to professional and personal growth
Familiarity with and ability to use Google docs, drive and slides as both a professional collaboration tool and an integrated instructional tool in the classroom
Ability to develop trusting, supportive relationships with students
Coaching ability and enthusiasm is highly desired in a candidate
